A preliminary investigation has been launched after 156 owner complaints about the detachment of a key front suspension component, while a separate study finds Waymo robotaxis record significantly fewer crashes than human drivers.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a preliminary investigation into Tesla over a suspected serious safety defect in the front suspension. According to agency data, the probe could cover nearly 1.2 million electric cars, specifically 1,198,300 vehicles in total.
The investigation covers Tesla Model 3 models produced between 2018 and 2020, and Model Y models from 2021 to 2023. The trigger for this move is 156 owner complaints stating that the lower front suspension control arm detached on their vehicles-a component crucial for maintaining stability and proper wheel alignment.
Detachment of the control arm can lead to a complete or significant loss of directional control. In the reported cases, the cars were mostly left immobile after the failure and required towing. What's concerning is that most owners did not notice a clear warning on the car's screen before the failure, such as indicator lights or error messages.
However, some drivers reported unusual noises from the front of the vehicle, most commonly squeaking or cracking sounds when turning, driving at low speeds, or reversing. One owner of a 2021 Tesla Model Y experienced a complete front suspension failure after just under 47,000 kilometers driven. He also heard squeaking beforehand but received no on-screen warning.
So far, according to available information, no traffic accidents, injuries, or fatalities have been linked to this issue. It's important to note that launching a preliminary investigation does not automatically mean a serial defect has been confirmed, nor that vehicles will be recalled. Investigators will first try to determine the cause of the problem, its frequency, and potential safety consequences. If a broader risk is identified, Tesla may be asked to issue a recall and provide free repairs.
Tesla has faced front suspension problems before. The first recall occurred in 2021 and covered 2,791 Model 3 vehicles produced from 2019 to 2021. A second recall followed in 2023, affecting an additional 422 Model 3 units from 2018 and 2019.
However, the complaints leading to this new investigation go beyond the scope of those earlier service actions. Initial findings also suggest that current cases may not be linked to the same manufacturing issue. Owners of the affected models are advised to pay attention to unusual squeaking or knocking from the front suspension, especially during turns, and to have such sounds checked preventively at a service center.
Meanwhile, interesting data comes from the world of autonomous driving. A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a private organization funded by insurance companies, reveals that Waymo robotaxi vehicles have a significantly lower crash rate than human drivers.
According to the July study titled "Rise of the Machines: Crash Experiences of Highly Automated Vehicles and Human Drivers," Waymo vehicles in autonomous mode had a police-reportable crash rate 68% lower compared to human-driven vehicles, in the same areas and years.
Researchers analyzed data from Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco over the period from 2021 to 2024. Waymo's advantage was most pronounced in Phoenix, where 76% fewer crashes were recorded, and Los Angeles with a 71% lower rate. In San Francisco, the rate was 35% lower. An interesting exception is Austin, where Waymo vehicles had a 4% higher crash rate, but the study authors note that the sample for that city was smaller for both autonomous and human-driven vehicles.
Waymo vehicles particularly excelled in avoiding certain types of crashes. The rate of crashes where they struck other cars was 91% lower, while the rate of rear-end crashes where they were hit from behind was 40% lower. Additionally, there were 85% fewer single-vehicle crashes and 81% fewer such crashes with injuries. These encouraging figures come after a series of incidents that raised eyebrows. In June 2026, Waymo recalled its entire fleet of 3,871 vehicles at the time after robotaxis drove dangerously in road work zones, including speeding and bypassing traffic cones. Just a month earlier, in May 2026, 50 empty Waymo SUVs flooded a small residential street in an Atlanta neighborhood within just one hour, blocking residents' passage.
